The Stingray 5 is certainly nice, but not the best you can buy, and it is not under $1000 either, unless you find a used one.

Used is the best way to go, you get way more bang for your buck.

But if you insist on new, in your price range, I would look at the G&L L2500(you can get them for that price at http://www.bassnw.com), Warwick Streamer standard, Carvin LB75 or BB75, Yamaha RBX765A, Ibanez BTB, there are tons more under $1000. The G&L if you buy it online is the best for this price range, near $1000.

Slightly over $1000, you could get the aforementioned Stingray, the Fender Roscoe Beck, the Fender American Deluxe Precision, the Peavey Cirrus, Peavey Millenium Plus, Peavey G Bass, Warwick Corvette, many more.

Hey hey hey embellisher You just have to look around for the deals. I got my Stingray 5 for a small $945.00 They tend to go from $750-$950 used for the the 1993 year models and afterward. Any more and you are getting hosed. Try ebay or if your in southern California USA try music.recycler.com for classifieds.

Bassman stay away from the yamaha section unless its the nathan east model. I dont think any other bass they make cuts thru very well, and the upper frets are hard to reach.

Try to find a used Fender jazz 5, or warwick vette. I would choose the warwick first due to my taste in punchy growly sounds. Both play well in my hands. old Jazz paint jobs look super cool too.